With hockey now back in full-swing following the All-Star break, one former Leaf finds himself likely headed to injured reserve after receiving one of the dirtiest hits of the season during a game against the Jets.
The Pittsburgh Penguins played host to the Winnipeg Jets last night, but while the Pens skated away with a 3-0 victory, they did not do so with a full compliment of players. At 4:15 of the second period, Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon lined up former Leaf Noel Acciari for a hard hit in the neutral zone. The problem was that Dillon caught Acciari in the head, sending his helmet flying through the air.
These types of hits have no place in the game of hockey. Dillon got all head and very little body on this hit and it's the sort of play that should come with a hefty suspension, in excess of 5 games. We'll see what George Parros' gameshow wheel over at Player Safety says, but if it comes up as 5 games or less, something is obviously broken over at the DoPS.